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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. FC Dallas: Final Score 3-1 as Lions Clinch Playoff Spot with First Road Win at Dallas

Orlando City is in the postseason for the fifth straight year, thanks to goals by Ramiro Enrique, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Facundo Torres.

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3 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City continues to score goals in bunches, bouncing back from last week’s loss at Colubus with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. Ramiro Enrique, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Facundo Torres scored to lead the Lions (13-11-7, 46 points) to their first road win ever against FC Dallas (10-14-7, 37 points). Orlando City clinched a playoff spot with the win.

Things got nervy at the end, as Paul Arriola scored from the penalty spot after a foul in the box by Nico Lodeiro, and FC Dallas had a second goal overturned due to Arriola being offside in the buildup.

“One more time we qualify for the playoffs. It’s a credit for the group of players that had a big heart and a big love for the club too, and a lot of passion for what they do,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “So, I’m very happy. It’s a special night today, coming here to Dallas, in a very difficult city to play against, and we won, scored three goals. We played an excellent (first) 75 minutes, and the reaction of Dallas in the last part was very good as well. Complicated the game, but we finally clinched, and that was the first objective, and we’re happy.”

Pareja’s lineup featured Pedro Gallese in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Schlegel, and Kyle Smith, with Dagur Dan Thorhallsson out with a lower leg injury. Cesar Araujo returned from suspension to play in the central midfield with Wilder Cartagena behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, and Torres, with Enrique up top.

Orlando City held most of the possession in the first half, but didn’t create much out of it. Some of that was due to unselfishness, turning down shooting opportunities to try to play in a teammate, and then sending in a poor return ball that the FC Dallas was able to intercept. The crossing also left a lot to be desired at times, including just three minutes into the match, when Santos had space on the left but sent the ball in for Maarten Paes to easily catch.

Petar Musa had the first good look for Dallas in the 15th minute, taking the ball wide of Cartagena and fizzing a shot over Gallese’s crossbar.

The Lions broke the scoreless deadlock three minutes later. Santos got his cross right this time, sending in a near-post ball. Enrique got across the much larger Omar Gonzalez and sent a glancing header just under the bar past Paes to open the scoring in the 18th minute. It was Orlando City’s first-ever road goal at Dallas.

Ojeda nearly doubled the lead two minutes later. Left with space just outside the area, the Argentine smashed a shot toward goal. Paes did well to get down to make the save. Ojeda’s placement was too close to the goalkeeper, otherwise the Lions would have had a two-goal advantage in the 20th minute.

Arriola had a go from outside the area in the aftermath of a Dallas corner in the 27th minute, forcing Gallese to get down to make a good save.

Musa thought he’d scored for Dallas in the 31st minute off an Arriola cross but there was an obvious push by the midfielder on Angulo to win the ball back and Orlando was correctly awarded a free kick.

The Lions were slow to close down in the 35th minute and it was nearly a costly mistake, as a cross found Arriola’s head at the near post. His back-post effort was just wide of goal.

Ojeda made a great cutback pass to Enrique in the box in the 39th minute but the striker got under his shot and fired it high into the crowd.

Arriola’s cross for Musa late in the half was caught in the air by Gallese, and the Dallas striker took a hit in the ensuing collision but was able to continue.

The last good chance of the half fell to Orlando as Enrique stole the ball in the attacking third. He had an opportunity to shoot from the right, but he opted instead to try to pick out a teammate and the Dallas defense intercepted his pass.

At the half, the Lions held the advantage in possession (60.2%-39.8%), shots (4-3), shots on target (2-1), and passing accuracy (94.4%-86.8%). Both teams earned two corner kicks in the opening period.

Although it was only a 1-0 lead at the break, Orlando dominated the first half of the game.

“I thought it was a clear idea that we had with the players during the week, after our game in Columbus, that we wanted to have more domination of the ball and more compromise, and trying to look for the spaces with personality,” Pareja said. “That was our compromise with the players. And I think that is what I saw on the pitch. I saw them moving everywhere and provided support to their teammates when they had the ball. Our line of passing was very correct, the occupation of the spaces as well. So, we had a very complete half.”

FC Dallas changed shape in the second half but not much changed. Orlando conceded more of the possession but was able to add to its lead and could (and should) have scored even more than the two it got in the second half.

Dallas got the first chance of the second period in the 50th minute when a deflected ball fell for Musa, who volleyed it toward goal but couldn’t keep his shot down.

Just seconds after that miss, the Lions doubled their lead. A dangerous cross from Smith on the right was intended for Angulo at the back post but former Lion Ruan knocked it behind for a corner. Ojeda sent in a good delivery and Schlegel attacked it in the air, powering a header into the upper right corner to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

“It’s obviously something that we work on constantly throughout the week,” Schlegel said of the set piece goal. “It’s almost automatic that we’re going to work on those set pieces. Sometimes in the games they don’t come out well. They don’t turn out the way that we practice them, or that we hoped, a lot of times based on the defense too. And obviously, it’s been a while since I was able to score. But that doesn’t mean that the work ever stopped. Thankfully, it went in tonight, and just really happy with this whole team.”

Ruan tried to get his team right back in it, blazing down the right flank in the 54th minute and sending a fierce cross through the six, but it was in front of everyone and went out of play on the other side on a deflection by Orlando.

The Lions again immediately punished Dallas for missing an opportunity. Enrique took the ball away in the attacking end on an errant Dallas back pass and immediately sent the ball behind for Torres’ attacking run. Torres slowed down, took a look at goal, and passed the ball past Paes to make it 3-0 in the 55th minute.

With the goal, Torres tied Cyle Larin for the club’s all-time lead in goals across all competitions, with 44.

FC Dallas didn’t give up, rolling the dice with multiple substitutions and sending more numbers forward into the attack in a desperation move that backfired multiple times, but the Lions were unable to punish the hosts further, despite some good chances to do so.

Alan Velasco tried a blast from outside the area in the 63rd minute that required a Gallese save. Orlando City then got down the left side and Enrique won a free kick near the corner. The ball in bounced off a couple of players and Dallas looked to counterattack, but the Lions were able to recover defensively to stop the transition before it resulted in a chance.

Pareja sent Luis Muriel and Duncan McGuire on in the 65th minute for Enrique and Ojeda, and it nearly paid dividends right away. Angulo won a corner kick and the ball was initially cleared, but the Lions recovered and recycled the attack. Jansson ended up with the ball on the left side in the area and played it across for McGuire in front. The striker’s shot was saved by Paes’ foot from point-blank range as he hit it too straight with either side available in the 66th minute.

Moments later, the alarm bells rang in Orlando’s defensive third as Santos and Angulo were beaten in the box by Tsiki Ntsabeleng. A shot was headed inside the left post but Schlegel was there to block it and clear it away.

Muriel sent McGuire in behind in the 71st minute with a perfect through ball. Again McGuire was denied by Paes as his shot was soft and poorly placed, allowing the Dallas keeper to make the stop.

FC Dallas came right back the other way and Gallese had to make a save on a Musa shot.

Lodeiro subbed on for Cartagena in the 73rd minute and one of his first involvements threw Dallas a lifeline. Going for a loose ball in the box, he was beaten to it from his right side and he got the man instead of the ball, fouling Bernard Kamungo. Jair Marrufo awarded the penalty immediately.

Arriola waited for Gallese to commit and slotted it down the middle to make it 3-1 in the 78th minute.

Things got weird in the 80th minute as the Lions started to get beaten by runs in direct play. Gallese came out of his area to head away a ball over the top and got caught out when Dallas regained possession. Kamungo tried to score from distance but Gallese recovered and got his hand to it, knocking it out for a corner. Logan Farrington was left unattended at the near post on the set piece, but he missed the net with his header in the 81st minute. Musa then was all alone in front two minutes later but sent his header right at Gallese.

In the 85th minute, Musa came within inches of making it a one-goal game, smashing a wicked shot off the crossbar near the left post from a tight angle. Farrington won another Dallas corner in the 88th minute and this time second-half substitute Show was left alone at the near post but missed his header wide.

Dallas appeared to pull within 3-2 in the 90th minute. The ball was sent to Arriola out wide on the left and his cutback cross was put in by Farrington. Marrufo went to the monitor and found that Arriola was about a foot offside in the buildup, nullifying the goal by Farrington, who was booked for dissent after the call was made.

The hosts continued to look threatening during six minutes of stoppage time that grew to eight. Gallese did well to come off his line and get to a ball just in front of Kamungo in the 94th minute. Ntsabeleng sent a shot just wide in the 96th minute from outside the area.

McGuire again got in behind the defense in the 97th minute on another excellent ball from Muriel. This time, the big striker was on the left side. As he teed up a shot on his stronger right foot, Marco Farfan arrived to block it.

Farrington got one more good chance for Dallas in the 98th minute, but Gallese made the save. Orlando got the ball forward, and Marrufo blew the whistle for full time.

Orlando City ended the game with the advantage in possession (52.4%-47.6%), shots on goal (7-6), passing accuracy (90.3%-86.4%), and corners (7-6). With its late flurry, Dallas ended up with more total shot attempts (16-13).

“At the end, we started defending low. We lost control of the ball, and Dallas pushed, sent numbers and complicated those last 15 minutes,” Pareja said. “Credit to them too. I thought that they did a good job in that part, but once again, we’re happy. The game plan worked, and the boys clinched. And congratulations to everybody who is involved in our club and the fans.”

“Obviously, we’re very happy,” Schlegel said. “Our first goal for the year was to qualify for the playoffs and clinch a spot in the playoffs. So, obviously, we’re very happy and just very proud of every player in this group, and every member of the technical staff, and this whole group together.”

With the win, Orlando City has reached the postseason for the fifth consecutive season, qualifying every year since Pareja took over as head coach prior to the 2020 campaign.

The Lions return home Wednesday for a midweek match against the Philadelphia Union.

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Orlando City

Previewing Luis Muriel’s Second Year in Purple

Orlando City needs more production from its Colombian striker in 2025, so what’s the best way to get it?

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10 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The 2025 season will be Luis Muriel’s second as an Orlando City player following a 2024 campaign that wasn’t bad but was uneven and marked by potential that ultimately went unfulfilled. With the Colombian striker still occupying a Designated Player slot, there’s a lot of questions about how he’s going to fit into the team.

With him occupying a precious DP slot and commanding the highest salary on the team by a comfortable margin, it’s essential that the Lions get maximum output from him on the field. What’s the best way to do that, though? With the departure of Facundo Torres and Muriel getting a full off-season and preseason under his belt, there are a few different ways to achieve that goal.

Striker

The obvious answer is the reason that he was brought to the City Beautiful in the first place — to play him at striker. Duncan McGuire likely won’t be available until sometime in April, meaning that Muriel will be duking it out in preseason with Ramrio Enrique (and to a lesser extent, Jack Lynn) for the right to start as the tip of Orlando City’s proverbial spear. He got some time there last year in the first few months of the season, but ultimately his production, or lack thereof, opened the door for McGuire, and later Enrique, to supplant him.

The most straightforward way to get him in the team is to get him scoring in the volume that he’s shown himself to be capable of. It wouldn’t require any alterations to the formation or moving players around to areas where they might not be comfortable. Orlando could try to go big for a winger with proven goal-scoring threat to help replace the Facundo Torres-sized hole on the right wing, Ivan Angulo can stay out left, Martin Ojeda retains his place at the 10, and things keep ticking along.

The big question is whether he can find the back of the net consistently enough to justify going this route, particularly when McGuire and Enrique have proven themselves to be capable of providing solid scoring output. However, if he shows better than Enrique and Lynn in preseason, this is probably the most likely route.

Winger

Another solution, and probably the one that would be second easiest, would be to deploy him at the winger spot vacated by the now-departed Torres. This would allow Enrique and McGuire to compete for the no.9 slot, while filling Torres’ place with someone who is capable of creating and producing goals for others at the same, if not higher, level, and it wouldn’t require any formation or positional shifts.

A downside is that the right-footed Muriel wouldn’t be inverting the way that Torres did, which would tweak some of the team’s tactics and patterns of play in the final third. Additionally, it would be gambling on Muriel improving his goal-scoring numbers despite being shifted out wide and presumably not having as many looks at goal.

In this scenario, the Lions likely aren’t going out and adding a third Designated Player, or if they are, it’s probably an attempt to upgrade over Angulo — something which just doesn’t seem super likely to me, given how ever-present he’s been in the lineup since joining the team. I also don’t know if I can see Luiz Muzzi and Co. standing pat with the current state of a roster that couldn’t win it all and then lost its best player.

No. 10

A different route would be to trot him out at the no.10 position, where he often found himself deployed when coming on as a substitute during the second half of the year. The advantages of this solution are that it would allow the Colombian to utilize his considerable passing range and ability on the ball while minimizing his need to contribute large amounts of goals. On the downside, it would require shifting Ojeda out of the central position that he occupied to such great effect during the second half of the 2024 season. While Muriel has played well in this position, I can’t see the decision-makers being willing to gamble on Ojeda regressing if moved out wide again.

Shadow Striker/Roving Playmaker

The final, and most intriguing (and complex) of the options would be to deploy him as a shadow striker/roaming playmaker as part of a front two. Muriel drops into the hole behind the striker and moves around, finding space just behind his fellow forward, popping up wherever the spaces are and making it difficult for teams to zero in on patterns of play.

Again, it would allow him to use his excellent passing and dribbling ability to create scoring chances for McGuire/Enrique, while still getting him some looks at goal. It’s also a position that he’s played at various times throughout his career, including last year, when we saw him partnered with McGuire in either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. The two played well together during those games, and showed signs of a flourishing partnership that ultimately wasn’t pursued further as the team got more bodies healthy and Ojeda began to shine as the central player in the three-man attacking midfield.

The biggest problem would be finding a formation that gets Orlando’s best players on the field in their best positions. A 4-4-2 would allow a midfield of Ojeda, Angulo, Wilder Cartagena, and Cesar Araujo, but Ojeda would need to be out wide and we’ve already covered why that’s an issue. A 3-5-2 would also allow for those guys to be on the field, but then Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Rafael Santos would likely be sacrificed, and Cartagena would move to center back while Nico Lodeiro slotted into the midfield in his place. OCSC is better when Cartagena and Araujo are partnering in the midfield, and I love having Santos’ crossing ability and DDT’s versatility on the field. For me, it would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

An interesting solution could be trying a 4-2-2-2, with Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel/David Brekalo, and Thorhallson at the back, Araujo and Cartagena as the defensive midfielders, Angulo and Ojeda as the attacking midfielders, and Enrique/McGuire and Muriel up top, with Muriel operating as the shadow striker. To get the necessary width in attack, one of the fullbacks (presumably DDT) could invert into the midfield when in possession, and one of the defensive mids (likely Cartagena) would drift out wide while Ojeda plays centrally, where he operates best. The biggest issues here are that it would necessitate a lot of tactical variation from what the team is accustomed to, requires Thorhallsson to run his guts out, and is susceptible to getting torched on the counterattack. There’s a world where it could work, but I wouldn’t expect to see it.

At the end of the day, everyone’s lives are made easier if having a full off-season and preseason under his belt helps the Colombian DP find his shooting boots and he hits the ground running as the striker in Oscar Pareja’s preferred 4-2-3-1. Orlando adds firepower at right wing, Ojeda stays in the middle, and Muriel does what he was primarily signed to do — score goals. If that doesn’t happen, there are still ways to try to get him involved, but each solution comes with its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages to navigate. Either way, Muriel’s fit during the 2025 season is an intriguing storyline to watch as we build towards the start of the new campaign. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 1/10/25

Orlando City reportedly nears signing Nicolas Rodriguez, Orlando Pride re-sign Marta, Americans abroad this weekend, and more.

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14 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! I’m already pretty much over this cold weather. While it was a nice change of pace, I’ve never been a huge fan of shivering in my car while waiting for the heat to get going. Thankfully, it looks like some warmer weather is coming this weekend before temperatures dip again next week. But enough about the weather, let’s get to today’s links!

Orlando City Linked With Nicolas Rodriguez

According to Fabrizio Romano, Orlando City is close to signing Colombian winger Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza in Colombia’s top flight.

The 20-year-old would bring the club some needed attacking power and Orlando has open U22 Initiative slots to make it happen. The Lions have yet to make much noise this off-season beyond transferring Facundo Torres to Palmeiras, so hopefully signing Rodriguez kicks off the excitement ahead of the 2025 season. Another report has the transfer fee coming in around $2 million, with Fortaleza keeping a 30% sell-on fee if he’s sold in the future.

Marta Re-Signs With the Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have re-signed Marta to a new contract that will keep her in the City Beautiful through 2026. Whether or not Marta would return was the biggest question mark surrounding the club after her contract expired following a historic season that included winning both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship. Marta is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league and was a finalist for both the NWSL MVP and NWSL Midfielder of the Year awards last year. Enjoy how Marta revealed the big news through the club’s social media. She definitely had me in the first half.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath had a stellar game in Cardiff City’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup, making seven saves in the shutout. It was his first start for the club since August and he could get the nod in Cardiff’s next FA Cup match in February. Lindsey Horan had an assist in Lyon’s 2-0 road win over Dijon, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty started in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United.

As for upcoming action, Joe Scally will have a chance to impress when Borussia Mönchengladbach hosts Bayern Munich on Saturday. Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Giovanni Reyna and Borussia Dortmund will take on Bayer Leverkusen today. Serie A should feature the usual suspects on Saturday, with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan playing Cagliari and Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus facing off against Torino. We also might get to see Matt Turner in goal when Crystal Palace plays Stockport County in the FA Cup.

FA Cup Third Round Storylines

There’s plenty of more FA Cup soccer all over England this weekend to check out. While we were robbed from seeing Ashley Young and his son Tyler Young play against each other in Everton’s 2-0 win against Peterborough United, there are still many storylines in the third round. The heavyweight matchup is between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday. While it may be too much to say some of the English Premier League’s bigger clubs are on upset alert this weekend, Tottenham’s road game against Tamworth and Liverpool’s match with Accrington Stanley could prove interesting. Manchester City is set to take on a Salford City side owned by several former Manchester United players as well.

Free Kicks

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Orlando City

Orlando City is Often Late to the Transfer Party

Why you shouldn’t worry that we’re still waiting on Orlando City’s off-season signings.

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1 day ago

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January 9, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Here we are yet again. It’s that time of the year when seemingly every MLS club is making moves, signing new players, and going about the business of getting better for the coming season. It’s also the time of the year when supporters of Orlando City are looking around like Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, wondering where the signings are for the Lions.

I’m here to tell you not to panic. As frustrating as it is, this is business as usual for Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi and Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira. In case you’ve forgotten, here are some late signings that the club has made over the years.

January Signings

Despite how it feels, Orlando City signs plenty of players in January. Some of those have been earlier than Jan. 9. Nicolas Lodeiro signed with the club on Jan. 4, 2024, Rafael Santos signed on Jan. 5, 2023, and Cesar Araujo signed Jan. 7, 2022. I understand if you think they shouldn’t count since it was before this exact time of the month, but some fans have been freaking out for a week.

Let’s look at those on this day of the month or later. That list includes Martin Ojeda, who became a Lion on this day in 2023. In addition, Pedro Gallese signed Jan. 17, 2020, Ramiro Enrique signed on Jan. 30, 2023, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson signed the very next day. All four of those players were consistent starters in 2024.

February/March Signings

Muzzi and Moreira aren’t afraid to wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow to sign new players. Just last year, the club signed David Brekalo on Feb. 8 and Luis Muriel on Feb. 15. Muriel really came on late in the season, and Brekalo will certainly be vying to get his starting spot back in 2025.

I’ve saved my most compelling example for last. Orlando City signed Robin Jansson on March 12, 2019. All he’s done is become Orlando City’s captain and all-time appearance leader. His contributions to the club are extensive. Not too bad for a very late signing.

Historically speaking, Orlando City isn’t doing things any slower than usual. That is why I’m saying not to panic…yet. The Lions made it to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in 2024. If they want to win MLS Cup, the club will need to continue to improve the team.

Given the departure of Facundo Torres, at least one major signing needs to happen. Like you, I hope that signing happens sooner than later. Indeed, I’d like to see several signings, as the club wisely uses the money from the Torres deal to bolster the club for the upcoming season.

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